DO YOU WANT TO WORK? Supported Employment Can Help You (APD logo) Agency for Persons with Disabilities State of Florida - - - The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) assists people with developmental disabilities to go to work and provides support as long as needed. APD currently supports more than 5,000 people with disabilities in maintaining employment. Services are provided to individuals on the Medicaid waiver and those waiting to enroll into the waiver. Employment is a vital way for adults to become contributing members of their community. APD helps with ongoing supports to make sure the employee and the employer have their needs met. Supported Employment Supported Employment helps job seekers with significant disabilities to go to work. It provides intensive supports and extended services to assist the person with performing their job. Ongoing supports are provided by a job coach and include matching the worker with the right job, assistance with training to make sure the APD customer is able to understand and learn the skills, and regular monitoring. Supported Employment is paid for through two state programs: Vocational Rehabilitation pays for the initial job match and on-the-jobtraining; the Agency for Persons with Disabilities pays for ongoing supports while the person is working. The individual also may benefit from supports that are a natural part of each workplace. These natural supports are typically co-workers, friends, and family members who help with some job-related tasks, such as reminding the employee when their break is over, assistance with clocking in and out, or arranging for or providing transportation. Here are some basic points to know about Supported Employment: • The individual makes decisions about what type of job they want for a career goal • The job is competitive work in an integrated setting for individuals with disabilities for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred • Everyone is considered eligible and employable regardless of disability • The salary is the same for all workers performing the job regardless of disability • On-the-job training and ongoing supports are provided intensively at first, and then less often, as ability is attained - - - (photo) Carolyn Codie - Fort Myers Carolyn Codie has made a good impression on her boss at a Fort Myers McDonald’s restaurant. “She’s really a loyal employee,” says store owner Deana Homsi. Codie received a Citizen of the Year award from her supported employment provider, LARC, and Good Wheels, a transportation provider. Codie cleans the dining area, keeps plenty of condiments handy, and assists customers in the lobby. “She’s never late,” says Homsi. “She comes an hour early to work every day, and just watches what’s going on. She’s excited to be involved.” (photo) Adam Langham - Pensacola Using a wheelchair has never been an issue for Adam Langham in his job as an Internal Lab Courier for Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. Langham receives high marks from his supervisor, Troy Lewis. “Adam is a tremendous asset to our lab. He is in a chair, but it doesn’t slow him down. He is one of the most dedicated people we have in our lab. His timeliness and punctuality are great,” says Lewis. Langham’s job involves transporting paperwork and specimens around the hospital. In describing his job, Langham says, “I love it. I love the people I work with. It is just a great place to work.” (photo) Renee Llewellyn - Tallahassee Renee Llewellyn is a Records File Clerk with the Leon County Supervisor of Elections Office. She makes sure voter registration cards are up-to-date. Llewellyn says, “I love my work and couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.” She is a dependable employee. Elections Records Manager Cynthia TenEyck says, “Renee is a steadfast, loyal employee who is always there for us. She is continually in a good mood and a joy to be around. Filing is such a necessary thing for our office, and she is so dedicated.” (photo) Dan Sowell - Panama City Bay County Property Appraiser Dan Sowell was elected to serve as the leader of the office where he has worked for more than 20 years. Sowell, who has cerebral palsy, graduated from Gulf Coast Community College and Florida State University. He is also a licensed real estate broker. Sowell encourages people to pursue their education. “Employees with disabilities are dedicated, dependable, loyal and hard working. They have a desire to exceed that is unsurpassed. I can assure you, people with disabilities don't want to go to their mailbox to get their pay. They want to contribute to a 401(k),” said Sowell while addressing the Florida Cabinet for Disability Employment Awareness Month. (photo) Broderick Zanders - Quincy Broderick Zanders wins customers and co-workers over with his fun personality. He is employed with Wal-Mart in Quincy. Zanders says, “I do not like to sit at home wasting time watching television. I want to get out there and do something to help others.” “He does not just work; he makes everyone laugh and is concerned with the well-being of other customers and employees,” says supervisor Cordell Mosley. - - - If you are ready to go to work, contact your local APD office and ask for an employment specialist. They will begin the process of getting you into the job market. APD Area Offices and Counties Served Area 1 • (850) 595-8351 • Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton Area 2 • (850) 487-1992 • Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, Wakulla, Washington Area 3 • 1-888-665-4955 • Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Putnam, Suwannee, Union Area 4 • (904) 992-2440 • Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns Area 7 • (407) 245-0440 • Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole Area 8 • (239) 338-1370 • Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee Area 9 • (561) 837-5564 • Palm Beach Area 10 • (954) 467-4218 • Broward Area 11 • (305) 349-1478 • Dade, Monroe Area 12 • (386) 947-4026 • Flagler, Volusia Area 13 • (352) 330-2749 • Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Marion, Sumter Area 14 • (863) 413-3360 • Hardee, Highlands, Polk Area 15 • (772) 468-4080 • Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, St. Lucie Suncoast Area • (813) 233-4300 • De Soto, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota - - - Agency for Persons with Disabilities 1-866-APD-CARES (1-866-273-2273) (850) 488-4257 www.apdcares.org January 2010